Signing off

As I’m fairly certain most of you know by now (judging from the comments section), today is my last day at TimesLedger Newspapers. Next week, I’ll be starting a position writing for the Star-Ledger in New Jersey.

As a result, I will no longer be operating the Iron Triangle Tracker for the paper nor reporting on Willets Point. I’m not sure what the future holds for this Web site, but I expect at least its content will remain available at www.irontriangletracker.wordpress.com in perpetuity to serve as a resource for all of those interested and following the events at Willets Point.

Its been an absolute pleasure to report on the events at Willets Point and I think it remains (and will continue to remain) one of the most important stories unfolding in New York City. I hope, at the very least, I’ve been able to provide some clarity to an otherwise murky and complicated topic and communicate that the struggle that is going on is about people’s lives as much as it is land and development plans.

I’ve gotten to know most everyone involved on every side of this issue, and I don’t think I’ve come across anyone — regardless of where they stand on Willets Point — that isn’t a good person at their core.

I’m sure I’ll continue to follow the topic passively, and hope that I do until an amicable solution is found for all involved.  I urge any and all who will continue to follow the struggle at Willets Point not to let it slide under the radar, as it will be story that burns brightly — for better or worse — for years to come.

Thank you for your readership and support over the last year.

Steve Stirling

City using strong-arm tactics at Willets Point: Report

Urban Justice Center attorney Ted de Barbieri speaks alongside workers from Willets Point at a rally across the street from Citi Field. Photo by Stephen Stirling

A report issued by the Urban Justice Center Tuesday accuses the city of using strong-arm negotiating tactics with property owners at Willets Point while ignoring more than 200 tenant businesses that operate in the area.

More than two dozen Willets Point workers rallied alongside members of the Urban Justice Center outside Citi Field Tuesday to allege that the city orchestrated multi-agency raids on three properties housing 11 small businesses in April as a means of pushing property owners to strike deals to sell their land.

“The timing of these mass closures with a renewed effort to acquire private land for a public redevelopment is questionable and it may also be illegal,” the report said.

Lobbying question a ‘cheap shot’ at Shulman: Bloomberg

Here’s an excerpt of Nathan Duke and Anna Gustafson’s report on a sitdown TimesLedger/CNG had with Mayor Michael Bloomberg yesterday.

Bloomberg blasted a New York Times article published last week that suggested a group led by former Borough President Claire Shulman illegally lobbied city officials on behalf of the Bloomberg administration.

Here’s what he had to say:

Mayor Michael Bloomberg dismissed Monday accusations the city used public funds to form a group headed by former Queens Borough President Claire Shulman to lobby on its behalf during the administration’s battle to push through the massive Willets Point redevelopment project.

Sparks fly over Willets at TimesLedger/CNG debate

Some of you may have seen this already at our blog, the Queens Campaigner, but I figured I’d post it here too.  Here’s an excerpt of TL reporter Jeremy Walsh’s coverage of a debate we hosted a few weeks back in Brooklyn for Public Advocate.

Video of the debate is also available here.

A question I asked on the potential use of eminent domain at Willets Point provided the most fiery exchange between the candidates:

Hundred-watt personalities clashed under the studio lights as the city’s four Democratic public advocate candidates faced off at a televised debate last week.

Court hears arguments on suit to invalidate city plan

A New York Superior Court judge heard arguments from a Willets Point business group Friday that the city’s proposed plans to develop the area were invalidly submitted. The lawsuit is part of a multi-pronged attack property owners have launched to sink the city’s plans.

An attorney for Willets Point United Against Eminent Domain Abuse, a group of dozens of property owners who have not made land deals with the city, contended that the city has not adequately addressed needed highway improvements to accommodate its massive plan or coordinated with emergency response officials on the traffic impact it could bring.  He also  questioned the validity of the mayor’s office taking a lead role in the development process.